ALADDIN

Cast of ALADDIN Spills Secrets from the New Amsterdam- 10 Things We Learned!

Just last week, Disney's Aladdin celebrated one year on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street). In its first smash year, Aladdin has been seen by nearly three quarters of a million people and broken five New Amsterdam Theatre house records. Despite beginning performances eight weeks into 2014, Aladdin was the third highest-attended Broadway show of last year - only the juggernauts Wicked and The Lion King entertained more people - and finished 2014 as the fifth highest-grossing show of the year, the only new show of last season to make the top five.

1. James never wanted to be an actor. That's right- he might have a Tony Award now, but James didn't decide to pursue the stage until starring in a production of Oklahoma! in college. Before that he thought he would make a career out of singing.

2. Jonathan has always had a love for the bad guys. As a child, Jonathan always identified with the "cruel beauty" of Disney villains like Captain Hook, Maleficent, and Stromboli.

3. Aladdin isn't the first Disney prince played by Adam Jacobs. Before he originated the role of Aladdin, he played Simba in the Broadway and touring productions of THE LION KING - a role he had to audition for several times starting when he was in college. After that, the role of Aladdin came a little more easily when he was asked to workshop the title character in the production's early development.

4. Courtney has always been princess-obsessed. Long before Jasmine was a Disney princess, Courtney was singing along with another Disney princess- Ariel. "Part of Your World" was one of her favorite songs to sing as a child.

5. Jonathan needs lots of time to get into character. It takes the actor a whopping hour and a half to get into his full Jafar costume and make-up. That's some serious prep time!

6. Adam and Courtney were nervous about making changes. When composer Alan Menken decided to freshen up "A Whole New World" the duo was nervous about messing with the beloved classic. Now both admit that the changes have made the song even better.

7. Casey Nicholaw has a lot to do with the show's success. All four of them admit that Casey is the reason that the musical works on stage, praisng him as "inspriational."

8. Aladdin has a super-dedicated fanbase. Some fans of the show have admitted to coming back to the New Amsterdam specifically to figure out the quick costume changes and howthe magic works!

9. Adam works hard to keep up his Aladdin physique. He wasn't just born wit those abs! Often the last thing that the star does before he goes on stage is a quick workout!

10. The cast still won't give away show secrets. Don't even try to find out how that magic carpet takes flight. You won't learn a thing from anyone in the cast. It's Disney magic!

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